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Have you ever jumped into a meeting room only to surprise in room audience who started to glaze at you like you have committed a crime? Or you have done the typical “sneak peek” the glass window, trying to figure out if the room is occupied but you get a bunch of people with a confused faces? Or on a typical workday  when your phone rings and you wish to find a private space, the glamorous way to hunt for a meeting room? Or  usual practice of organizing a meeting and not sure which room to lock in as there is not no visibility on the availability? This is the exact issue a meeting room panel mounted outside of the room can resolve. But what is a meeting room panel? How does it work? How is it used? What are the respective licensing requirements to have a meeting room panel? Lets us discuss more about these panels and explore various models in detail? In short a room display panel or meeting room booking panel is a small touch screen specially designed to display the meeting room presence ana availability. These screens are mounted out side the meeting room and can sync with popular platforms  such as Microsoft 365, Google Work Spaces, Zoom Appspace etc.

Before we look at the best meeting room booking systems for offices or conference rooms  let us understand licensing pre-requisite that are required for these room panels. For this exercise we will take AVbyUSB’s meeting room as an example which we currently have a Microsoft Teams room video conference equipment installed. We have allocated a room resource license called “mtr@avbyusb.com.au”. This is a basic license which is free and currently Microsoft offers up to 25 free basic license per organization. Please note that Microsoft's licensing can be changed anytime with out prior notice. We recommend to check the licensing requirements beforehand, else feel free to ContactUs , our team is happy to provide updated information.  When scheduling a virtual meeting, it is our practice to send an Outlook invitation, ensuring that all users required to attend. The very last step would be invite our “MTR” meeting room which we can pick from the “Add a room or location” within the outlook invite. If your organization has multiple meeting rooms , outlook lists all the rooms that are available at your required time frames in Green and rest in red. Once a meeting room is selected and the invitations sent, the meeting is received by the Teams video conferencing system which displays the meeting on the meeting screen. When the user is ready there is a “Join” button to start the meeting.

Similarly, a meeting room panel also requires a resource license; However the Microsoft  teams room “Basic license” is not suitable for  these room panels. Either, you require  “Pro” or a “Shared” device license. If  your meeting room already has a Microsoft teams room system like that of Yealink MTR, Logitech Tap or Shure system then to add a room panel you will be required to upgrade to a “Pro” license which is $59/Month/license paid annually. If your meeting room does not have any Teams room video conference  unit nor you have installed a BYOD conference system like that of Barco CX series or Mersive POD or Kramer VIA  then a “Shared Device” license would be sufficient which is currently $8/Month/device license. “Shared Device” license was earlier called “Common area phone license” but maintained the same price structure. So if you upgrade to a Pro license you could maintain the same resource license email for Teams Room conference system and room panel outside. Hence, if you organize a meeting and link in associated room , the panel picks up the meeting and displays the room booking slots which is highly visible. Work flow is simple and easy.

Now that we have covered and understood the licensing pre-requisites for room panels let’s explore how to choose right room scheduling system . There are  two primary approaches to view meeting room availability:

1. Software Only Systems
2. Dedicated Room Booking Displays

Software only systems provide the required room booking functionality and works on BYO display screens. Simply signup with required software package, download the application onto an i-pad or tablet , mount the display on the wall or table and you will be ready to manage the meeting room . I-pad or tablet can be mounted using specialized mounts such as Heckler mounts. These are perfect for users who prefer a BYO approach  or want to re-purpose their equipment. While considering software systems licensing costs from the software vendor and Microsoft both factors should be factored into the total cost of a software evaluation. This dual licensing can increase the total cost of ownership. Another consideration is that iPads and tablets are not designed to be used continuously in use nor these are  commercial devices.  Once mounted, it is not a fun exercise to  have to recharge them manually on a daily basis. On the other hand, If  these devices are  connected to a wall charger all the time, may overheat and later swell or get damaged. We have had first-hand experience observing these issues unfold in real time, marking the roadblocks on the use of consumer-grade devices for professional handling. Specialized wall mounts that have PoE support such as Hecker's range are a solution for certain operational needs. However, these solutions add to the overall costs and thus should be analyzed carefully while considering the  total cost of ownership (TCO)

Dedicated room booking displays are built purposefully developed for managing meeting room efficiently. These devices typically involve initial hardware investment and Microsoft licensing fees, with minimal or no additional licensing costs. Since the screens are purpose built they ensure optimal reliability, visibility and performance. These panels feature responsive capacitive touch screen and integrated LED indicators on the sides of the panel that provide a immediate visual cue on the room availability and ease of use on a busy environment. These screens are generally 10” which are POE powered and can be mounted on various mounting surfaces. 

In certain instances, clients request dedicated “Wireless” meeting room schedulers for conference rooms. That could be because they are unable to run any ethernet cables or require a quick turn around solution. In these scenarios, the  Joan 6 RE is an ideal choice which is a dedicated meeting room schedules  that is designed for flexibility and ease of use. Joan RE houses a 6” capacitive touch screen that can function up to 3 months of operation once fully charged. Joan RE utilizes an advances e-paper display featuring high contrast and superior readability. This unit can be mounted on most flat surfaces and is offered in black or white metal frames.  If you require extended battery performance, consider Joan 6 Pro which offers similar features to that of  Joan 6 RE but delivers up to 6 months runtime on a single charge. Joan also has Joan13 Pro for users who are seeking a bigger screen and this is a POE powered unit. All of the Joan devices utilize e-paper displays, which may be everyone’s preference.

If you are looking for a color screen with high visible LED panel, we can explore a different category of devices to better meet your needs. In this segment there are multiple brands such as IAdea, Yealink, Concierge, Logitech Tap, Kramer  to name a few. These devices are all genreally POE powered with an optional power supply. All these devices can integrate with service providers such as Microsoft or Google. These units house a high bright LED that visually display meeting room presence. Units can be mounted on various flat surfaces such as walls, glass surfaces else simply table mount on a stand. There are entry level models in this segment such as Yealink Room Panel, IAdea 1078 A2 which offer around 8"-10" screens and provide basic core functionality for room scheduling.  Certain models offer higher functionality such as Iadea WRP1000 , Joan 13  bigger screens, NFC Card Reader, Door Unlock Mechanism etc.  NFC features can add convience where employees can tap their ID card to book the meeting room instead of the usual room booking route.

Overall room scheduling can be achieved either by BYO screens or dedicated meeting room panels. Even though both these routes lead to view room avilability, dedicated meeting room panels have a winning edge when compared. Higher visibility with colored interface makes the room avialability easily recognoisable. POE powered makes cable management easy and unit can be mounted in most surfaces. If you wish to get more clarity on these devices or wish to understand further, please do not hestiate to contact us on 1300668108 or sales@avbyusb.com.au

Bring Your Own Device(BYOD) or Bring Your Own Meeting(BYOM) is a common requirements in meeting rooms for organizations. BYO setups provides the flexibility for users to navigate on their respective laptops or even phones, which they have already been familiar.  Even though BYO over phones are restricted with limited functionality we see them to ease out soon. Let’s look at  some of the common scenarios we see or hear when organizations are considering  BYO setups or choosing BYOD VS dedicated video conferencing systems. Microsoft Teams or Zoom or Google meet room solution AV bundles are a great add-on and perfect for single touch join. However, the issue would be with cross platform meetings . For example , If a meeting room has a Microsoft Team room system  and the user has a Zoom or Google Meet call scheduled to join the meeting from the room device is restricted. We agree that over the past couple of years each of these platforms opened doors leading to cross communications but it is still limited with reservations. In certain situations, meeting participants/users have content on their laptops which they would like to share by joining a call from their laptop. Certain AV setups may have not been equipped or may not be easy for BYO setup. Another Interesting pointer have heard , in these recent times is that organizations are dissatisfied with the high room licensing  fees that are being charged and are considering alternative solutions to if possible. Finally, organizations switching platforms is a common practice , so investment on platform specific equipment may not be of much use when switched over.

Whatever the reason, BYOD setup popularity is increasing as organizations prefer the flexibility and appreciate the ease of connectivity to the device of their choice. Some of the common phrases we hear from our clients are that we need ”Best BYOD Video conferencing solutions” or we are looking at “Wireless BYOD screensharing for our Zoom and Teams” Meetings or we need a “Secure BYOD video conferencing in hybrid workspaces” . So lets discuss how these can be achieved. BYOD collaboration tools for enterprise meetings and/or content sharing can be implemented either by Wired or Wireless methods. In the space of wireless BYO, there are content-share only products which market themselves as full BYO devices. As such, we will take that definition into consideration and not discuss content share only devices. Focus is to provide information on complete, plug-and-play BYOD ecosystem that support content sharing and conferencing capabilities.

Wired BYOD:

This is the most economical way to set up a meeting space. Meeting room table will have a USB-C cable (around 1 Meter) that connects to users laptop. Once plugged-in, users can content share and/or conference from their laptop.  Since most newer style laptops are USB-C powered, when the cable is connected to the power drive(PD) port, it will also charge the laptop along with content sharing and/or conferring. Connectivity is simple and easy.  A central hub manages all the connections and the Hub can be installed either behind the display/TV or under the meeting room table. We recommend mounting the hub under the meeting room table. HDMI cable connects the hub to the TV or display. AV endpoints such as an all-in-one collaboration bar or Camera and/or speakerphone are connected to the hub via USB  cable.

A new generation of wired BYOD solutions is now available from Swedish tech company Ochno. While the basic connectivity is like traditional hubs, Ochno’s system offers much improved functionality. The Ochno switcher has four USB-C input ports. This allows users to connect their laptops for BYOD conferencing, content sharing, and simultaneous charging, all through a single USB-C cable. Users can easily share content from laptops, mobile phones or tablets/i-pads with simple plug-and-play USB-C operation. If one laptop is sharing content, another user can connect and charge their device at the same time. To switch control of content sharing or BYOD functionality, users just press a button on the USB cable source, which instantly transfers access to the next connected user. This can save time and no hassle of switching cables or users moving around. Similar to that of the Hub, we recommend switcher to be mounted under meeting room table.  However, to reduce cable management issues, Ochno has a “Node” that can be mounted behind the display. Node can reduce the amount of cabling and provides flexibility WRT installation. Multiple switchers can also be daisy chained for larger meeting spaces.  This system supports , plug-and-play BYOD USB conferencing devices including ceiling solutions as AV endpoints. No need to worry about compatibility or suitability. This system also supports centralized cloud management if required.  Overall, Ochno is a very interesting solution supports smooth and easy collaboration in meeting rooms of any size.  Understand you may have not heard of Ochno before, please feel free to contact us if you wish to view the kit in action.

Wireless BYOD :

The concept of wireless BYOD is similar to that of wired counterpart but this does not require any cables or adaptors or connectors. Several solutions allow for wireless collaboration, with Barco ClickShare being a top choice in this area. Barco CX series supports wireless content sharing and conferencing with ease. Just connect the wireless button, a USB-C dongle to users laptop, you will be ready to collaborate with in seconds. The dongle with circle shaped LED presence indicators turns red when in use and white when idle. Barco supports range of AV end points that are capable of supporting meeting rooms of any size. Connectivity is simple and easy. Barco clickshare houses two main hardware components, Base unit that is typically mounted discreetly behind the TV and a Wireless button that connects to users laptop. The base unit is connected to the TV via HDMI, while AV endpoints such as the camera, speakerphone or all in one collaboration bar connects via USB to the Barco base. Ethernet connectivity to the base is optional but is recommended, as it allows automatic software updates when connected to internet. The Barco button does not communicate with the base over Bluetooth or in the standard 2.4 GHz frequency band. Base and wireless button establish their own dedicated private “Intranet” connection that provides a  good 10-12 meters range. Barco Clickshare CX has 3 models, CX20, CX30 and CX50. They differences are that CX50-Gen2 model supports dual displays and the rest are single display only. CX30 and CX50 supports touch interface which CX20 does not.

There is no need to install any software on the laptop to use Barco ClickShare ,perfect for visitors who want to use the collaboration features. Barco does have a Clickshare application, available on all the major platforms.  This application allows the user to share content and join conferencing without the need of physical dongle. To access these advanced business features, Barco base unit will need to be connected to the internet via Ethernet. If ethernet enabled,  ClickShare also has the ability to use Miracast to share your screen wirelessly. Plus, if connected to the internet, IT Administrators can manage the devices centrally and monitor software updates. While Ethernet connection is optional, it is highly recommended to connect the base to the network, in order to maximize the available feature set.

Other brands such as Kramer, Screenbeam and Mersive Solstice Conference also offer complete BYOD solution. However the key difference is that these brands are application driven i.e application on PC is mandatory and these units does not offer a wireless dongle. Hence requires ethernet/WiFi connectivity. These units supports Airplay, Miracast and support content sharing from Laptop and mobile devices POE+ Powered and power supply is optional. These units are easy to install, connects in moments and offers enterprise security.

Overall , concept of BYOD is gaining popularity and organizations are showing interest in its deployments. BYOD can be setup wired or wires modes and there is a solution to suits all meeting room sizes and budgets. If you require any more clarification, please talk to our team. We are happy to assist or organize a demo if required.

Even though AVbyUSB began operations 2020, it was not untill early 2023 that we entered digital sigange space. After few repeating requests from some of our corporate customers we started to understand more about signage industry and how it operates. Our focus is to make digital signage a simple, easy and cost effective process. Since then we have served  clients nationwide which encouraged us to delve into all the aspects to digital signage. Interestingly more enquiries started from small business such as Café’s Pizza shop, Kebab shops, local grocery and supermarkets such as friendly grocer or IGA’s. What we realized is that our clients are seeking affordable digital signage, which we have heard their request and worked on the same to deliver a simple cost efficient solutions, with in the digital signage space. We have delivered exactly what a small business owners are seeking and over time they have become the fouindation and backbone for our organisation. We have had requests about traditional print signage to our offering and we have delivered to some. However, we backed out as we would like to stick to current and future trends rather going back in time. AVbyUSB offers full range of digital signage solutions , spanning but not limited to  indoor menu boards, high bright window signage, outdoor Signage, LED signage and  Large format screens. Over these years we have observed customer have numerous questions regarding digital signage. Thi is understandable , as there is frequently a local of clear information about how the digital signage systems function and how can be effectively implemented. Additionally, some organizations tend to present digital signage as a complex or a highly technical undertaking, which can add further confusion among users.  At AVbyUSB, we recognize the importance of simplifying digital signage and provide straightforward, transparent guidance. Our goal is to ensure that customers feel comfortable, confident and well informed through-out the process. We aim to make digital signage easy to use and suited to your needs by answering common questions and keeping things simple. Before we look at most digital signage lets briefly look at types of displays.

Commercial Displays VS Residential TV’s: One of the most important differences that customers need be aware of and yet certain signage companies do not discuss or disclose. It is a key factor that can significantly impact warranty of the screens. In any type of commercial venue, it is recommended to user or install commercial screens. Regardless of the venue, whether it is an office environment, doctors practice, retail such as café, pizza store, kebab store, restaurants, take away etc., AVbyUSB exclusively supplies and installs commercial displays. So what is the difference between residential and commercial screens?  The key differences are that commercial screens are designed to operate longer hours (16-24 hours/day) where as TV's are designed to operate an average of 6-8 hours/day. Commercial screens offer varying brightness levels starting from 300 NITS and can go upto 4500 NITS or higher. High brigtness  screens have a better build quality, designed for durability and anti-burnout when operated in higher temperatures or longer operations. Further, most commercial screens can be installed in both landscape and portrait modes where are residential TV’s can be installed in landscape mode only. Mounting residential TV's in portrait mode may block or redirect airflow that can pottentially cause over heating and impacting lifespan.

Now Let us look at most common types of digital signage quickly in detail. In this blog we focused on common use cases rather than the edge cases.

Digital Menu boards: Most common type of digital signage requirement are the indoor digital menu boards or digital display boards. Especially, demand for this type of signage has increased over past 5 years. These digital displays are available from 32”-100” sizes. Powered by android, signage content can be uploaded from USB or digital signage software. These screens are available with standard brightness of 350 NITS but also available in higher brightness if needed. These displays can be floor, wall or ceiling mounted. Some venues require  arrangements for specialized  mounting  which our team can analyze and discuss where needed. Traditional LED light menu boards or stickers may not look . Modification or changes to the content is not straightforward. In current economic situations price fluctuations are common that we have observed. Upgrading to digital menu boards provides a fresh look to the venue, users can customize content targeting deals, discounts or end of the promotions. Further modifications to the menu is  quick , simply change as required and upload. AVbyUSB has inhouse dedicated artwork team which can design any type of content our customers are seeking.

Window Signage: Digital window signages are specially designed to show content when placed behind the window or in a high bright areas . Generall installed behind shopfront windows or other prominent glass surfaces with street facing. These displays are aimed to maximize visibility, attract attention from passersby traffic. Further,  designed to withstand challenging light and environmental conditions. Brightness is the key in the window based signage screens. Depending on the venue location and user requirements we recommend screens accordingly. If the window is street facing,  exposed to sunlight and user would like to run the screen 24x7 then for best results it is reccomended to opt for a ultra-high bright display such as 2500-3000 NITS . High brightness screens ensures to display the content without glare so that users can see it clearly. If the venue is within a shopping arcade or under cover or user would like to operate only during night times then less brighter screen such as 1000 NITS could be suitable. Brightness of the screen is directly proportional to pricing. Sometimes customers ask us if a standard indoor screen with 350 NITS screen can be used as a window based display? It depends on the venue and how much of a sunlight the screen gets exposed to to. High brightness screens do have a anti light reflection(ALR) and anti glare properties. Further designed to withstand high heat conditions. Standard indoor screen do lack these properties and when placed in a high sunlight light expossed areas there could be chances of failures. Warranty of the indoor screens do not cover these claims  as  the counter would be "They are not designed fo that". Else in a shady area or indoor shopping centres standard indoor screens can be used behind the windows, however due to its lack brightness and screen glare limitations , content may not be visible. High bright window displays are either single or dual sided and can be floor, ceiling or floor-ceiling mounted. Window screens are also android powered, content can be uploaded over USB or signage software.

Kiosks:  Also known as  self-standing digital signage kiosks, these are free standing screens typically in an enclosure. In certain situations we can mounts a display over a floor stand which  in our industry are called “Naked  kiosks”. However , the enclosed screens look good as they are uniformly designed.  These kiosks can be used for digital signage  or even self-ordering kiosk’s(limitations apply). These are perfect for venues where nothing can be mounted on wall or suspended form ceiling. Else you require a good looking free standing display with out any installation requirements.  Initially , these screens were popular among car dealerships and other showrooms ,  however these are more widely accepted in venues such as offices, medical centers, community centers etc. In simple terms Kiosks are regular screens in portrait mode,  houseed within metal casing. USB and HDMI ports are accessible from behind the unit. Kiosks are available in interactive touch and non-touch versions. Touch screen kiosks or Touch screen digital signage can be used as information screens likes the  ones used inside shopping centers or hopitality venues use them called self-ordering kiosks. Mitsumaru 43” , Samsung 24" , BenQ 55" are few popular models in this segment.

Outdoor/Semi-Outdoor Signage: These outdoor or semi-outdoor screens are specifically developed for tougher environments and are IP55 or IP65 rated. These IP ratings provide good protection against heat, dust and water . This high protection ensures reliable operation in outdoors or semi outdoor environents. These units are distinguished by their high brightness capabilities, starting from 1,500 NITS and can go up to 4,500 NITS. Such brightness is essential for visibility in direct sunlight or under strong ambient light. High-brightness outdoor displays employ advanced LED backlighting and optical bonding technologies to maximize visibility and contrast, even in challenging light conditions. Due to their specialized construction and the need for extra durability, these screens are significantly heavier and bulkier than typical indoor screens. The enhanced build is necessary to withstand environmental stressors and to accommodate the additional cooling systems required for safe operation. To manage the heat generated, these screens are equipped with internal fans to maintain safe operating temperature. Due to this heavy-duty construction protection and advanced cooling system contribute to the increased cost of outdoor screens compared to their indoor counterparts. Additionally, outdoor screens prioritize durability and stability over portability. Once installed, these screens are generally intended to remain fixed, and moving them after installation is not recommended due to their size, weight, and the complexity of their integrated cooling and protection systems. LG 75" , Mitsumaru 32" are some of the popular outdoor digital signage displays. 

There are several additonal types of digital signage solutions available. However, in this blog we only focussed on most common and widely used options. For your business, digital sigange may be a new concept or you may be familiar with digital sigange but seeking further clarification or guidance to optimise current setup. If you have aa specific or a unique requirement that goes beyond standard solutions, perhaps a out-of-box or custom application, we are here to assist. Our team has good experience to address your sigange needs,from basic to tailored innovative requirements. There is no too small or too big of a requirement to us. What ever your situation or vision , we can help you fidn the right solution. Please feel free to Contact Us , our team is happy design a solution accordignly.

The Microsoft Teams Room Experience That Will Transform Your Meetings

Maxhub recently introduced its new breed of android driven , Microsoft Teams Rooms boards. It is in the similar lines or competing with already  popular models in the same lines such as Yealink MB  Teams Room Board, Neat Board  and DTEN Teams Displays.  Let’s delve into to see how this new baby  delivers the meeting outcomes. If you are looking for an all-in-one  interactive touch display for your Microsoft Teams Room requirement, or a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) from your laptop, XBoard is worth a Demo and it will sure to impress you. MAXHUB XBoard V7 T Series might be the breath of fresh air your team needs.

See Everything in Stunning Detail

There's a world of difference between seeing fuzzy outlines of your colleagues and being able to read their expressions. Xboard  4K anti-glare display brings remote participants into the room with life-like clarity that helps maintain the human connection that's so often lost in virtual meetings. Whether you're reviewing detailed architectural plans or conducting training sessions, this level of visual quality keeps everyone engaged. Xboard is available in multiple sizes 55”, 65”,75”, 86”. Adding to this lineup , surprisingly this unit is also available in a  92”.  Yes, It is an odd size and  we have not seen this with any other brand either.  Xboard supports Intelligent touch screen with a 40 point touch with a smooth flow. Start  whiteboarding with a click of button, write down the points before you forget them.

Audio and Visual

Xboard houses a stunning three 50 Mega Pixel(MP) AI powered cameras. One of these is a panoramic camera that can cover entire meeting space. Other two are 2x Optical and 5X Hybrid zoom. All these cameras have a 99 degrees field of view(FOV) , ensures clear room views and everyone are covered. Parallelly, Xboard also houses a 16 beam forming microphone array. These Mics supports intelligent noise cancellation, audio fence, AI spatial. These mics are good to eliminate unwanted noises and general room noises such as keyboards, water pouring etc. With 15 Meters pickup range and 180 degree pickup angle would make this suit small to large spaces. Audio that actually picks up voices clearly (even the quiet person in the corner!) Further Xboard houses a dual 20 watts front facing speakers that can deliver HD room filling audio.

Microsoft Teams Certified & BYOD

MAXHUB XBoard is  "Microsoft Teams certified” and works as a perfect Microsoft Room system device.  A room resource license is required to sign into the device . If you require any assistance, with respect to  Microsoft Resource account creation feel free to contact us. Once signed in device is perfect addon to your Microsoft ecosystem. You get all the functionalities of a native teams room system, simply join meeting with a single touch. Video quality specifically optimized for Teams meetings and Easy setup for IT teams using Microsoft's admin tools. Regular updates that keep pace with Teams improvements. Apart from Microsoft Teams calls, as an Android based  collaboration display, Xboard also supports joining calls from third party platform such as Zoom and Cisco Webex. X-board also supports BYOD. Simply connect users laptop to the front USB-C port the screen , lets you content share and conference. Further, supports up to 65W power drive, so you will never go out of charge. 

Centralized Management

X Board Series are easy to deploy, Sure your IT teams love the single cable deployment. Maxhub Pivot tool  is a GDPR compliance cloud  solution that allows convenient,  quick and unified remote management of most Maxhub equipment with a single login.  Pivot tool has a built in android technology which provides full control over the eco system. You can control and wake screens , lock screens remotely when required. Firmware updates are now easy to manage and you can personalize the update schedule as per your convenience. Generally updates through Pivot tend to be quicker and with lower failure rate when compare to a direct update. You can also view the operational information and statistics of each registered device with a easy to read interface. These statistics lets you spot issues with panel quickly, sends instant fault notifications to IT teams and performs maintenance procedures.  You could create a Pivot login account here or contact us for a demo credentials so that you get to explore this beautiful tool in detail.

Overall, Maxhub’s  Xboard is an impressive All-in-One display designed for Microsoft and BYOD spaces. Impressive touch capability, excellent smart AI camera , good microphone quality and speaker out.  You could either wall mount or trolley mount based on your preference.  I fyou are looking for an powerful yet a easy to use operate meeting room device, its worth considering Xbaord in your bucket list. If you have any questions or would like to get a demo of this unit, please feel free to Contact Us, our team is happy to assist with your enquiry.

Yealink Collaboration bar’s are fantastic units that can suit most small to medium meeting rooms. Yealink Colloboration bar support range of the most popular conferencing platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Ring Central. Further supports “Yealink Device Mode”, a Popular BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) solution for platforms which are not natively supported. For example if you have a meeting to join on Cisco Webex or Google Meet which are not natively supported. User can simply activate device mode on the touch screen(Need the name if touch screens), connect the USB-C cable which lets you to content share and conferencing. Yealking has 2 options for BYO, Yealink VCH51 a wired BYOD unit and Yealink WPP30 a wireless BYOD unit. Following a recent legal action initiated by Barco regarding patent rights, Yealink has removed the BYOD conferencing feature from the WPP30 and now only offers wireless content sharing functionality. VCH51 does support BYOD conferenicng and contentsharing. 

In this blog lets look at how to provision Yealink’s all in one collaboration Bar. We have Provisioned a Yealink A30 with touch pad for this blog purposes; However the procedure remains same for other collaboration units such as Yealink A10, Yealink A20 or Yealink A40. These all in one bars are best suited with the touch pad, however if you choose not to use one , you can simply connect the bar to the screen via HDMI. You could see the same functionalities on the screen with or without the touch pad. It is recommended to use an interactive touch display or use can control using a mouse which is not a pleasant experience. Now lets look at provision of the Yealink Android bar out of the box.

Connectivity of the Yealink Collaboration Bar:

• Power Supply : From the Collaboration to AC source
• Internet Connectivity: Ethernet connectivity from the Collaboration bar to wall port( “Internet” Port on back of the unit)
• HDMI 1 from the Collaboration bar  to the TV or Display.
• HDMI 2 from the Collaboration bar  to the TV or Display (If room has two displays)
• USB  to Display (only if you are connecting to an Interactive Touch Display)
• Touch Pad : Ethernet connectivity from touch pad to wall port. With Yealink collaboration Bar, touch pad does not connect directly to the bar. Connects to the internet on the same network. Touch pad requires Power Over Ethernet(POE) connection.

Once connectivity in place, configuration can be completed from the touch pad or the screen. In this setup we have configured the collaboration bar to Microsoft Teams. However, provisioning to other platforms like Zoom or Ring Central procedure remain the same. Just like configuring  any smart device, we start with basics such as choosing preferred language, choose preferred  internet connectivity etc.

Selecting the appropriate time zone is very important. If the collaboration bar is out of the time zone, your scheduled meeting displayed will be of the bars time zone. Australia, where we are located in, has three time zone. Further, Microsoft updates are generally pushed around 2AM every day. If the collaboration bar is of different time zone, you may face update issue during your business hours. Hence it is important to configure the bar to your exact time zone. In our demo, since we are Sydney based, we chose UTC+10:00 Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne zone.  Once the time zone is configured next would be to check for software updates are pending for the device. If the device is on the latest firmware it pops up. Else you can upgrade form this window. We recommend to turn on the “Automatic Updates”. This will adjust the device to latest firmware when available. Else you will have to constantly monitor the updates.

Next step would be to choose your choice of meeting profile. For this exercise we provisioned the unit to Microsoft Teams, but same for Zoom , Ring Central or Device Mode(BYO mode)

Now device is all set and Microsoft Teams profile is now ready for configuration. It’s now time to sign in with Microsoft Teams Room license and associate the device with respective room license. You can sign in over a browser with the link https://microsoft.com/devicelogin  and enter the code that is displayed on the touchpad. Else if you wish to sign in on the touch pad , click “sign in on the device”

Once login is successful Touch pad will auto detect the nearest meeting bar connected to along with the serial number. Once detected you can see the Bar model detected on the touch pad Just select the bar model. This will auto pair  the Android bar to the touch pad and we are set to start our conference.

Once the Meeting bar is displayed simply select the displayed bar. Now touch pad and the Yealink Collaboration bar are paired, ready for collaboration. 

We hope this article is  usefull and will assist you to provision a Android base Yealink Collaboration Bar.  If you have any questions or require any assistance, please do not hesitate to Contact Us on 1300668108 or sales@avbyusb.com.au. Our team is happy to answer all your queries.